Frequently Asked Questions

Esoteric’s TSCM training takes modular approach and so pricing is dependent on whichever modules you select.

Espionage Awareness briefings addressing current information security threats, eavesdropping deployment techniques and mitigation techniques. Including real life case studies and examples Esoteric Ltd will be delighted to provide you with an estimate at the time of our initial confidential consultation. Please call for a no obligation quote today. Tel: +44 (0) 1483 740423 or complete the Training Information Request form here.
We aim provide our fee quotation to you within 24 hours of a request (subject to the complexity of the project!)

How much does Strategy & Risk Consultancy cost? david
2018-01-23T11:04:00+00:00

We work with your organisation to provide an effective risk assessment and subsequent development of strategy that is consistent and appropriate to your business needs. Our fees are based upon the depth and size of the project and we provide our fees on bespoke basis. To discuss your requirements in confidence, please call Esoteric on +44 (0) 1483 740423

How much does Covert Electronic System Investigations cost? david
2018-01-23T11:03:21+00:00

Our fees for Covert Electronic System Investigations are tailor-made to our client’s requirements as no two projects are ever the same. The following factors are considered when preparing quotation for covert systems investigations:

Our surveillance services are generally charged on price per day basis and are exclusive of disbursements. Discounts are provided depending upon the size / scale of the project.
Esoteric Ltd will be delighted to provide you with an estimate at the time of our initial confidential consultation. Please call for no obligation quote today. Tel: +44 (0) 1483 740423

Our fees for Technical Surveillance Countermeasure (TSCM) / Sweeping services will vary, depending on the application, the location and the complexity of the task. The following factors are considered when preparing quotation for TSCM services:

Square footage /metre age of the area in question (e.g. building, board room, office, home etc.)

Availability of access to area in question (e.g. out of office hours only or weekend only)

Whether you choose single ad-hoc survey or an ongoing programme over number of years

We will also consider the severity of the threat and the sensitivity of the information believed to be at risk and will suggest an appropriate approach and methodology.
Esoteric Ltd will be delighted to provide you with an estimate at the time of our initial confidential consultation. Please call for no obligation quote today. Tel: +44 (0) 1483 740423

Esoteric’s electronic sweeping and covert services are individually tailored to your precise requirements and circumstances. We deliver high value, bespoke solutions and operate effectively, reliably and discreetly at all management levels. We are committed to providing excellent service delivery, flexible to our client’s requirements, whilst assuring integrity and absolute confidentiality. As such our fees are provided on project-by-project basis.

This will vary from company to company and will be affected by the way you conduct your business. There is no single solution, so to provide a workable, protective solution, Esoteric provides bespoke solutions for your company.

In the UK it is legal. However some countries do not allow this activity. You should always check the legalities surrounding these services overseas. Esoteric can advise more specifically on a country by country basis.

Can I use jamming equipment to protect myself? david
2018-01-23T10:58:43+00:00

Jamming equipment (namely mobile phone jammers) is available to buy from a variety of sources. Whilst these do work, there are legal issues with using jammers and blockers and you should always check that you are observing local laws when using such equipment. Esoteric will be pleased to advise you on this.

How can I check if my hotel room is being bugged? david
2018-01-23T10:58:24+00:00

Although cheap bug sweeping devices are readily available on the internet, many of these are ineffective against anything but the simplest bug and, if used, can lure you into a false sense of security. The only way to be absolutely sure your room isn’t bugged is to employ the services of a sweep team to conduct a full TSCM sweep immediately before you occupy the room. However you can protect yourself well by not discussing any sensitive information in the room and certainly by refraining from using the hotel telephone for any private conversations. Never leave your phone, computer or sensitive documents lying about when you leave your hotel room.

Am I more at risk from being bugged when I travel? david
2018-01-23T10:58:01+00:00

This very much depends on where you travel to and your habits whilst travelling. If you always stay in the same hotel and use the same car hire firm etc, then you are more vulnerable and easier to target when you’re abroad. Varying your practices when away from home will reduce this threat and being aware of the dangers will also allow you to minimise the risk.

What preventative measures can I employ against the buggist? david
2018-01-23T10:57:36+00:00

Preventative measures include: regular sweeps by a professional TSCM company, installation of permanent countermeasures equipment such as Esoteric’s E-Room and raising staff awareness of the vulnerabilities of the organisation through training courses. Esoteric can provide accredited training for people at all levels of your organisation and are happy to tailor courses to meet your exact needs.

Can I have my office, car and home swept? david
2018-01-23T10:57:11+00:00

This depends on the effectiveness of your existing security measures and the vulnerability of your organisation. We would recommend that all businesses are swept at least annually, however during periods of heightened sensitive negotiations for example you may wish to increase your sweep frequency; some of our clients use our services monthly. Esoteric is able to advise on this once a vulnerability assessment has been conducted.

How do I decide what areas require sweeping? david
2018-01-23T10:56:20+00:00

This depends on your business practices, how you conduct business, who you conduct business with etc. As a general guide you should, as a minimum, consider the following areas: executive offices, meeting/conference rooms, offices of key personnel eg legal team, press department etc, sensitive work areas such as IT labs, server/frame rooms, data storage areas (particularly if the data is electronically stored), executive vehicles, executive residences, etc.

How long will it take to sweep my office? david
2018-01-23T10:55:54+00:00

This depends on many factors such as floor size, the number of workstations, telephones and desks, the construction of the building and general level of housekeeping, eg whether paperwork is locked away, laptop computers and peripherals are made secure etc. Esoteric customises all our sweeps to the individual client’s needs and will discuss your requirements in detail beforehand.

What should I consider before contacting a sweep company? david
2018-01-23T10:55:31+00:00

Consider how and from where you contact them. If you suspect that your office has been attacked then please don’t initiate the contact from there. The conversation may be picked up directly from the room itself, from a device attached to the telephone or intercepted from your mobile phone, Blackberry etc, not to mention the security issues surrounding computer email and Wi-Fi devices. Also if your office has been targeted, there is a possibility that your home and/or car could also be under surveillance. Wherever possible, use a telephone that isn’t linked to your organisation, eg a public telephone.

How do I find a reputable company to do a sweep? david
2018-01-23T10:55:07+00:00

There are two simple ways to ease your mind when looking to employ a TSCM company – the first is word of mouth. Do you know anyone who has had this type of work done and were they happy with the company which performed the sweep? The second recommendation is to look for some form of quality standard such as the NSI certificate which reputable companies such as Esoteric hold.

In order to do a comprehensive sweep of the environment you would need both the right equipment and knowledge. Whilst almost anyone can conduct a physical search to look for eavesdropping technology, you would need to know what a bug looks like and where it is likely to be deployed. If the deployment is carefully hidden eg as part of the building structure or built into furniture, expensive technical equipment will also be required. Without this equipment and an understanding of how it works you may be faced with dismantling literally everything within the room to satisfy yourself that no hidden devices have been installed.

What is a ‘sweep’ and what’s involved? david
2018-01-23T10:53:46+00:00

A comprehensive technical countermeasures sweep (TSCM sweep) will involve checking your premises for eavesdropping technology and/or the evidence of such an attack. The survey will consist of radio spectrum searches for active transmissions, including mobile telephone technology such as 3G, GSM and Wi-Fi. Specialist equipment will search for hidden, dormant and passive eavesdroppers such as microphones and recorders. In addition a full physical inspection of furniture, equipment, voids and building structure will be undertaken.

The simple answer is that you probably won’t initially be aware that you’ve been bugged. Here are just some of the subtle signs that your information security has been compromised: people seem to know things about you and your organisation that aren’t public knowledge, something is out of place in your home or office or you suffer a sudden, inexplicable loss of custom.

How likely is it that I’m being bugged? david
2018-01-23T10:52:48+00:00

Although relatively few bugging incidents reach the media, the practice is widespread. From disgruntled employees eavesdropping on their boss to hostile organisations targeting their competitors, the threat to both companies and individuals is very real.